Trade gambit could blow up in Hawks' face

Jordan Lewis of the Hawks takes a mark against the Blues.TRACEY NEARMY

AFL: There hasn't been this level of controversy in a trade period since 2009.

And that's saying something, with 2013 remembered for the Lance Franklin defection to Sydney and 2014 for the Ryan Griffen walkout to GWS.

But in 2016 we have Hawthorn risking treading a path laid out by the Lions seven years ago.

Brisbane's then coach Michael Voss was desperate to get another flag out of skipper Jonathan Brown, and so pounced on Carlton's Brendan Fevola, while trying to offload favourite sons Daniel Bradshaw and Michael Rischitelli to the Blues.

In the end, they refused to go, Lachie Henderson and pick 12 in the draft taking their place, but it left that sour a taste in their mouths that 12 months later they were out on their own accord.

Bradshaw headed to Sydney and Rischitelli to the newly formed Gold Coast.

There are shades of the Lions in the Hawks, after a bid by coach Alastair Clarkson to send only one of Sam Mitchell or Jordan Lewis off has blown up in his and his club's face.

Mitchell's move to end his playing days - and start his coaching career - at West Coast was finalised today, and with good grace.

But it's a very different story with Lewis, who had a contract presented to him by Melbourne and was set to sign before the Mitchell decision.

The vice-captain, who is contracted by the Hawks for another 12 months, is back as very much a required player, but no doubt an annoyed one.

Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright claims the 30-year-old earmarked as the club's next captain is not angry though.

"It certainly wasn't anger when I was with him yesterday. From his point-of-view it was about exploring what else might be out there in the future. But he's a contracted and required player."

But the Demons are still coming for the four-time premiership midfielder, with the club providing a statement to AFL.com.au outlining their continued interest.

"We received an approach from Jordan Lewis's management earlier this week regarding the possibility of him joining Melbourne. This was after discussions Jordan had with Hawthorn," the statement read.

"We understand that Jordan is contracted to Hawthorn, but we remain interested in looking at this option."

Mitchell again stressed he was genuinly excited about his move to the Eagles, the 34-year-old bundled up with picks 54 and 72 for picks 52, 70 and 88.

He revealed to Trade Radio that Hawks skipper Luke Hodge "did text me this morning once he heard about it and he goes, 'Did you just get traded for pick 88?'".

The Hawks, meanwhile, were a step closer to gaining Jaeger O'Meara from the Gold Coast after an exchange of picks with St Kilda left Hawthorn with No.10 - and ready to package up with a player to give to the Suns.

The wheels are also well and truly in motion to get Pearce Hanley down the road to the Suns from the Lions.